Her slender fangs extend agonisingly slowly, the blood glistening on Dean's chest intoxicated her. She inhaled deeply. Instantly the door of the Impala was ripped off its hinges, the demon; his eyes as black as night.

"Back it up honey" She grabbed the Colt from the backseat. Last time she checked Sam had it.

"Oh I don't think the Winchester's would appreciate you using their last bullet fangs" He smirked. She cocked the gun.

"Try me" Her vision began to cloud, the smell was over whelming ... it was too much too fast. A cloud of black smoke poured from the man's mouth, he collapses. Kat sighed and began to clamber out of the car, the truck driver regained consciousness. She lay on the floor hoping the fresh air would calm her vampiric urges.

"Oh my god!" He screamed at her. "Did I do this?" She felt weak, the sound of his pulse, the smell of the blood.

"Get ... help" She blacked out.

Kat's eyes shot open, she sat up. She felt ... amazing. She looked to the tube in her arm. Blood transfusion. Lots and lots of blood. She pulled the wire from her arm the wound healing instantly.

"Miss" A nurse ran into her room. "Miss please, you've lost a lot of blood, please get back in bed" She attempted to assist her back down, obviously it would take more than a human to move her now.

"Look I'm fine, just ... the men in the crash with me, are they ok?" The nurse ushered her back onto the bed. She could tell by the look on her face there was bad news. She attempted to concentrate on her words, so much noise from the corridor, all the smells and sensations. Maybe being pumped up on blood could have its advantages.

"The older man" The nurse began.

"John?" She nodded. Not that she really cared for him at this moment.

"Yes he's fine. A broken arm, nothing serious" She knew there was a 'but' coming somewhere.

"The youngest ... he's absolutely fine, few cuts and bruises, left not so long ago, something about retrieving your car" John's doing, the Colt first, his son's health second. Bastard.

"And Dean? My ... is he ok?" She sighed, the nurse hesitated. She could feel her pulse increase. She was going to attempt to lie or just hated giving bad news.

"The other man ... he sustained serious injury: blood loss, contusions to his liver and kidney ..."

"And ..." A tear slid down her face, she looked the nurse straight in the eye.

"And?" Her resolve was easy to break, no resistance maybe it was all the blood or maybe she was just weak.

"Head trauma. There's early signs of cerebral edema. We won't know his full condition until he wakes up ... if he wakes up" Kat burst into tears. The nurse awkwardly attempted to hug her. It failed.

"Just tell me straight ... what are his chances" She wasn't sure she really wanted to know. The nurse pulled back and frowned.

"Most people with this degree of injury wouldn't have survived this long. He's fighting very hard. But you need to have realistic expectations, I'm sorry" Kat stood again.

"Can I see him?" She wiped away her tears. "Please"

"Miss look like I said you've lost a lot of blood and-" Kat cut her off.

"I'm fine, please just let me see him ... please" She begged. No need for compulsion this time, she gave in.

John sat at Dean's bed side, arm in a sling. Looking sorry for himself.

"How is he?" Kat shut the door behind her and sat by Dean's side, taking hold of his hand. He looked ... weak.

"... Did they tell you about ... his condition?" John sighed heavily. She nodded.

"Yeah ... where's Sam?" she knew he ought to be here if the worse came to the worse.

"I sent him to Bobby, we need to find the Colt Kat" He told her, expecting her to understand.

"Your son is dying, and you're worried about the Colt!" She felt a surge of anger, she rose to her feet. This blood was magnifying her emotions, she was out of her depth.

"We're hunting this demon, and maybe it's hunting us too. That gun may be our only card and you know it" In a sick twisted way she knew he was probably right, if that thing came to the hospital they needed protection.

"He's done everything you've ever asked him too. Everything. He gave up everything he

ever had. And you're just going to sit there and you're going to watch him die? What the hell kind of father are you?" Her fangs dropped. She was angry she needed to calm herself.

"What you gonna do Kat kill me?" He scoffed, in a weird way it actually looked like he would be ok with that.

"Don't even tempt me ... look I know you hate me, what I am and I think I've made it pretty obvious that I hate you too, but I love your son ... both of them infact and I know you need me" She smirked.

"Need you?" He raised his eyebrow. He couldn't fool her.

"Well couldn't hurt having a vampire on your team huh? So don't pretend that you're doing this for Danny ok, you back up end of discussion" She turned to look at Dean.

"... Kat-" He began ... he sounded as if he was going to attempt and apology, she didn't want to hear it, it would be disingenuous anyway. To him she was a means to and end.

"Why did you send Sam to Bobby?" She walked over to the window, attempting to calm down.

"He toed the Impala to his yard, Cults in the trunk ... and I need some supplies" The way he said it, it just sounded ... ominous.

"Supplies?" Kat raised her eyebrow.

"Acacia, Oil of Abramelin" Kat shook her head.

"You're going to summon him? Here? ... I guess that is all you care about" she stormed out of the room, slamming the door shut behind her. She felt ... something, something dark. She examined the hall way nothing out of the ordinary just a young woman, a patient judging by her attire. She had a jet black bob, she sat in the row of plastic chairs that lined the corridor. No one else around, must be the blood.

"Kat!" She turned to see Sam running towards her, he dropped his duffle bag and threw his arms around her. "You're ok" He kissed the top of her head.

"Sammy I'm ... you know, it would take more than a truck to take me out" She winked. They laughed slightly.

"So err have you ...been told ... told about Dean?" He frowned. He sure as hell didn't want to be the one to have to tell her.

"Yeah ... he's strong Sammy, he can do this" She smiled half heartedly. She turned to take a seat, the young woman had gone.

"Listen Kat I was, I was thinking ... if he doesn't, if it looks like he's not gonna ... make it, then ... maybe you could ... you know?" He nodded, indicating ... something, she wasn't getting it.

"I don't, I ... what do you want me to do Sammy?" She shrugged. He took a deep breath.

"You could ... turn him" He stated as if it would be no small feat, like it was the obvious choice.

"No! ... No way, he wouldn't want that" She shook her head. "No Sam, I'm sorry"

"He'll die" He simply stated.

"He'd never forgive me if I ... he says that, that what I am is ... its ok and I'm still me, I'm still Kat but I know that deep down it bothers him ... what I am" It had too, he hated what he hunted and she was one of them.

"He loves you ... we both do" Sam smiled reassuringly.

"And I love him too ... that's why I won't do it" She shrugged.

"Ok, I guess I just thought that ... I was clutching at straws I suppose ... sorry" Awkward silence followed.

"Kat, you know, the demon, he said he had plans for me, and children like me. What do you think he meant by that?" His question took her by surprise, why would she know anything about his plan? John hell yeah probably but her no.

"No sweetie, I, I don't. I'm sorry but whatever it is we can handle it, right?" She smiled, he smiled back, for a few moments everything seemed normal; the hunt, the planning ... but in reality everything was far from it. They faced losing Dean. His brother, her ... lover?, boyfriend? What they had seemed more ... deep, far beyond pure infatuation. If only she had the courage to tell him earlier how she felt, then they could have spent more time together, it could be too late now.

"Kat, dad he's planning to summon the demon" Sam gestured to the bag.

"I know, he told me" She stretched, her muscles were tense, she had to start upping the dosage of blood. It felt ... good, a little overwhelming but she'd get used to it.

"I'm gonna go talk to him, see what the plan is" He stood, picking up the bag. He walked into Dean's room. He seemed determined.

"If he'll actually tell you the lying little bitch" Kat huffed, a strange feeling like she was being watched washed over her. She heard the sound of a glass smashing in Dean's room shortly followed by a beeping noise. Doctor's and Nurses rushed past her and Sam and John were escorted out instantly. Kat stood up and joined Sam at the doorway, tears welled in their eyes.

"No pulse" A nurse announced. Kat closed her eyes.

"Clear" They attempted to resuscitate him.

"Still no pulse" Sam put his arm around Kat and pulled her close.

"Okay, let's go again, 360" She wrapped her arms around Sam and nuzzled her head against his chest, she couldn't watch.

"Charging" Nothing ..., Sam looked around, he looked as if he had heard something. He rested his head on top of hers.

"We have a pulse. We're back into sinus rhythm" Sam and Kat sighed in relief.

"What do you mean, you felt something?" John questioned Sam; they all sat in his hospital room. He had a broken arm surely there were people much more in need of this room than him, they had already placed another patient in hers.

"I mean it felt like, like Dean. Like he was there, just out of eyeshot or something. I don't know if it's my psychic thing or what, it... But do you think it's even possible?" Sam looked over to Kat. "I mean, do you think his spirit could be around?" He shrugged.

"Anything's possible" John smiled.

"I felt it too ... when we were sitting out by the vending machine ... like I was being watched" Kat took the last bite from her sandwich, if only catering to her vampiric needs were so simple. "Well, there's one way to find out" Kat stood up, "I'll be right back, call me if anything happens ok?" She threw the wrapper in the bin. "Oh, car keys?" she held out her hand, Sam threw them to her.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"I got an idea, I'll be right back" Kat smiled.

Kat returned and proceeded into Dean's room. She held a brown paper bag under her arm and had purchased a change of clothing from the first store she spotted on her way. Black jeans, red top. Simple.

"Dean sweetie? Ok. Don't make fun of me for this, it's the only thing I could think of" She removed a box labelled 'Mystical Talking Board' from the bag and placed it on the floor, she sat crossed legged in front of it.

"Dean, are you their?" She placed her hand on the pointer, it moved. Yes. "Oh my god I can't believed this worked, and I bet you were laughing at me weren't you?" The pointer moved slowly as if to answer No, suddenly it was placed back on yes. "Your funny, what's happening to you?" She asked, sadness echoed in her voice. The pointer began moving, to the letters. H ... U. "Dean, what? H? U? Hunt? Hunting? What, are you hunting?" The pointer slid slightly away then back to Yes.

"It's in the hospital, what you're hunting? Do, do you know what it is?" ... nothing. "Oh, sorry to many questions err ok what is it?" Again the pointer begins to move. R ... E ... A ...P. "A reaper. Dean. Is it after you?" The pointer slid to Yes. "If it's here naturally, then ... there's no way to stop it ..." She sat in silence thinking, if there's a reaper around why she hasn't seen it. Or had she? "No. No, no, no, um, there's gotta be a way, everything has a weakness ... what does it look like?" The pointer moved to the letter Y. "Err Ok there's no way of sugar coating this ... so I'm just gonna go right ahead and say it ... I probably should have told you this earlier, but ... the time never really, its not something you drop into conversation, I, I can see ... the reapers" The pointer moved a few inches and then back to the letter Y. "Danny always said it was because I'd seen so many tragic things, witnessed death... but now I guess it's cause I'm, I'm half dead, maybe? I don't know. I don't really like to think about it and I'm sorry I didn't tell you it's just that well ... you know ... a little weird ... but I guess I am, well I'm a lot weird ... Do you forgive me?" ... Yes.

"I love you Dean" A tear rolled down her cheek. M ... E ... 2. "You know what ... It doesn't matter what it looks like too you cause ... you know they can alter a humans perception so ..." She wiped away her tears with her sleeve. W ... H ... A ...T. "What it looks like to you, it could be anything that it thinks will, I don't know ... help you accept death" O ... K ... X.

"Ok I'm gonna go check things out see if I can find a way to help you, I'll be back as soon as I find anything" X...X...X. "be careful Dean" U ... 2. She picked up the board and placed it back into the bag. She slid it under Dean's hospital bed.

She rushed to John's room, no sign of him or Sam. She pulled her phone from her pocket and dialled Bobby's number. She returned to Dean's room, closing the door, keeping away from innocent ears.

"Katherine, are you alright half-pint?, Sam said you were out when he left" Bobby's concern was obvious, it made her smile. This reminded her of when she used to call Danny.

"I'm fine Bobby thank you for asking, they err gave me a blood transfusion so I'm a little ...-" she wasn't sure what the word for it would be.
"High?" He suggested.

"Yeah ... I feel, restless and hyperactive like I need to do something, need to waste energy if that makes sense?" She hoped it did, she could use some advice.

"Listen obviously they gave you too much for your body to handle, you've gone without blood for so long, it's like a sugar rush ... listen just take it easy ok go for a run burn some of the extra juice, see if it helps" It sounded like a good idea, she need to be a little more grounded right now.

"So if I ... were too up the dosage slowly do you think my body will adjust?" She wasn't sure he'd like the idea of her hopped up on blood.

"Kat, why would you wanna do something like that?" He wasn't judging. It was a genuine question.

"I just ... I just don't wanna feel weak or thirsty all the time and hunting is a draining experience at the best of times but ... using my ...-"
"Abilities" He finished her sentence for her.

"It makes me weak, not drinking blood makes me weak it's like, like the more I drink the more I need" She closed her eyes.

"Look, I understand so what your gonna do is up the intake a little every so often till you find a balance, not to hyped not to drained ok? No more, no less d'you hear me missy?" His scolding made her giggle.

"Yeah, sounds like the best advice I've heard since ... well the V bombshell" She nodded.

"It ent gone be easy kiddo but your strong, hell your human ... you can handle this" He sounded so sure.

"I will try my hardest sir, believe me this is ... its strangely ok, I mean if I wasn't ... what I am I could be dead right now" Hell she could have been dead a million times over the scraps her vampirism must have aided her with when she was unaware of its existence. .

"Perks are fine but the cost ... you just gotta stay on the straight and narrow, you can do it, you're an Elkin's for Christ sake!" She smiled, name doesn't carry as much weight as Winchester of course but still their rep was a fine one.

"Thank you Bobby" She smiled, he remind her of her uncle.

"You're welcome sweetiepie, you need me you give me a call understand, anytime" His voice held a tone of authority.

"Thank you, I think I'll be holding you to that" she huffed.

"So i guess you didn't just call me for a chat, what d'ya need?" Time to talk business.

"Know anything about killing reapers?" It sounded silly when she said it out loud.

"Err sweetheart you can't kill death" He sounded unconvinced himself.

"Dude, I'm dead and I'm pretty sure John could take me out with his cross bow if the opportunity presented itself" She scoffed the idea John would even consider trying to kill her, she'd rip his throat out and probably enjoy it too.

"Yeah but you're the walking dead err no offense" She smirked. He made it sound like she should be eating people's brains.

"Non taken" She laughed.

"Their ... well death" She could hear him gathering books.

"Well what about ... I don't know preventing the reaping?" She suggested.

"Is this about Dean? Listen I know that you lo-" She cut him off.

"Bobby he's hear in the hospital and a reaper's after him, surly there's some way too ..." Save his life, if they managed to stop the reaper would another one simply take its place?

"I'll take a look but ..." He didn't sound too optimistic. He knew.

"I know ... thank you Bobby again" She thanked him one last time.

"Go for that little run, then get some sleep you got a human side to take care of too remember, I'll call you as soon as I find anything"

"Ok" he hung up. She peered over at the window, she opened it as wide as it would go and examined the height from the floor. Two stories, she could make that right? Well if not it was a hospital window so probably the best place to test the theory.

It was nothing ... she landed like a cat, ironic actually as that was the name nickname she had back home, the Cat ruthless vampire killer ... even more ironic that she herself was a vampire. Life's a bitch. She ran, too fast for anybody to see; it was close to eleven so the grounds were empty. She ran and ran and ran. She could feel it, weakness, exhaustion but thankfully no thirst, she stopped. The cold night air felt good, being cooped up in that little room all day with a constant reminder that at any moment Dean could die. She could lose him. She took a deep breath, Bobby's idea of sleep sounded good at that moment. She walked back to Dean's open window and jumped, she climbed through with ease, no noise. Emotionally drained was exactly how she felt. High tension not to mention the blood making the situation worse. She sat in the chair next to Dean's bed, she closed her eyes, drifted off almost instantly.

She was awoken abruptly by Sam's screaming,

"Help! I need help!" He turned to her. Dean was awake! He was awake and unfortunately choking on the tube in his throat. Can't have everything.

"I can't explain it. The edema's vanished. The internal contusions are healed. Your vitals are good. You have some kind of angel watching over you" The doctor smiled. Sam and Kat exchanged worried looks. It was amazing that he was alive but ... how?

"Thanks, doc" Dean clutched Kat's hand. The doctor left the room.

"So you said a Reaper was after me?" Dean turned to her, she had been in the middle of explaining earlier before Dr. Handsome came to deliver the good news.

"Yeah sweetie it was" She smiled, so why wasn't it now?

"How'd I ditch it?" He asked.

"You got me. Dean, you really don't remember anything?" She couldn't understand how it had happened. Something big obviously reapers don't just have a change of heart.

"No. Except this pit in my stomach" He gestured to his stomach.

" Sam, something's wrong, as glad as I am that your ok Dean, you don't just get out of jail free from a reaper" A knock at the door interrupter their conversation. John appeared.

"How you feeling, dude?" He smiled, Kat checked her phone, no word from Bobby, she decided to put him out of his misery, stop the useless research.

"Fine, I guess. I'm alive" Dean nodded.

"That's what matters" John walked into the room.

"I'm just gonna make a quick call I'll be right back" She stepped outside. "Hey Bobby it's me"

"Listen pumpkin I've looked though every book I own there noth-" He sounded tired.

"He's alive" Her tone was worried.

"How in the hell?" She bet he looked as shocked as he sounded.

"The err supplies John asked you to get, he wanted to summon him here ... maybe he wanted a little talk" Kat knew he'd catch her drift.

"Made a deal" Bingo!

"It's not unheard of" She watched as Sam left the room.

"Kat going to get some coffee you want anything?" He pointed in the direction of the cafe.

"Err yeah a cold drink please sweetie, thank you" She smiled at him, no need to worry him. "I'll call you back as soon as I know something" she told him.

"What you gonna do kid?"

"Confront him, get some sleep" she hung up and peered through the window, John had his hand on Dean's shoulder. She focused listening intently.

"I want you to watch out for Sammy, okay" He was near tears.

"Yeah, dad, you know I will. You're scaring me" Dean looked worried.

"Don't be scared, Dean" He leaned in and whispered something to him. She couldn't quite make it out. When he pulled back Dean's expression was one of shock. John turned and left the room. He stopped in front of Kat. He stared at her.

"I'm sorry" She stated breaking the awkward silence.

"What for?" He asked sounded like he didn't really care.

"You really do love your son" She nodded.

"How did you-" He looked confused.

"The supplies, Dean's miraculous recovery, I'm a hunter too you know ... a deal with a demon that's, that's heavy" She shrugged; didn't really know what else to say.

"He's my son" Was his answer, the perfect answer.

"Thank you John" she smiled.

"I didn't do it for you" He spat.
"I know, you hate me I got it" She smirked.

"Look Kat, we may not see eye to eye and no I'm not comfortable with what you are, but Dean he loves you and you make him happy, iv haven't seen him happy in a long time ... just don't hurt him" That was a serious warning, she did wonder though how exactly would he punish her from hell?

"I would never-" she began.

"Not willingly but as harsh as this sounds at the end of the day you're still a vampire ..." He shook his head, like the words pained him.

"I'm half human" She couldn't believe he had the nerve to talk to her like that, if Dean could hear him now he'd know what he was really like. Worshipping false idol much.

"I just hope that's enough" That sentence sounded genuine, like he hoped she would take care of his sons, cause he never could,.

"How long did you get?" He pulled the Cult from his pocket.

"Not long" She frowned. Ten years was the norm.

"Would you like me to come with you?" He nodded. She followed him into the nearest empty room , john placed the Cult on the table and then he feel. Kat rushed forward at high speed cradling his head, she placed him on the ground gently.

"Help!" She began to scream, Sam came rushing in dropping the coffee cups as he witnesses his father's lifeless body. A crowd of doctors and nurses pile in and attempt resuscitation, Kat and Sam hovered in the doorway. Dean joined them.

"What's going on?" Kat gestured to the scene with her head. A nurse attempted to push the three of them out of the room.

"No, no, no, it's our dad. It's our dad!" dean pleaded. "Come on" He begged his father. Kat turned away.

"Okay, stop compressions" The doctor announced.

"Come on, come on" He repeated.

"Still no pulse" A nurse told the doctor.

"Okay, that's it everybody ... I'll call it. Time of death: 10:41 am"